How To Write a Barista Resume

Your resume is a carefully crafted representation of your skills, experience, and passion for all things coffee. Learn strategies to showcase your commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience and your deep understanding of coffee culture. We provide real barista resume examples as you discover how to capture and present your best professional qualities, creating a resume that resonates with hiring managers in the beverage service industry.

  • Entry-Level
  • Mid-Career
  • Senior-Level
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1. Write a brief summary of your barista qualifications

Introduce yourself to hiring managers with a concise and impactful resume profile. Using two to three sentences, give readers a snapshot of your skills and experiences. Start with a strong sentence that highlights your relevant experience and unique qualities. You can call out an impressive credential, accomplishment, or title to make a strong impression.

Customize your profile to the position you’re applying for. Study the job description and match the company’s needs with your skills and qualifications. Convey your appreciation for coffee, customer service, and creating memorable interactions. Employers value baristas who genuinely enjoy their work and can naturally create a welcoming atmosphere for customers.

Senior-Level Profile Example


Lead barista skilled at motivating staff through meaningful reward and recognition programs. Maximize efficiency and service quality by cultivating staff members’ individual strengths. Broad knowledge of hot and iced coffee preparation standards and presentation methods. Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish.

Entry-Level Profile Example


Courteous barista committed to providing high-quality customer experiences. Skilled in developing new methods for producing various coffee-based drinks. Focused on discovering sustainable business practices to promote eco-friendliness and waste reduction.

2. Add your barista experience with compelling examples

The professional experience section should demonstrate your impact in previous roles and call attention to the skills and qualities that make you a standout barista. Instead of telling readers what you were responsible for, show them how you executed your duties.

Employers want to see tangible results and contributions, so quantify your accomplishments by including specific numbers, percentages, or measurable outcomes. For example, mention how many drinks you prepared per hour or how much you contributed to increased sales. Use action verbs that demonstrate your abilities and highlight your level of expertise. These words add a dynamic element to your resume, so consider starting each bullet point with a verb.

Senior-Level Professional Experience Example


Lead Barista, Starbucks, Wilmington, DE | July 2016 to present

  • Set new staffing strategy that raised store productivity over 40% in three years
  • Introduced a staff reward and recognition system that improved retention by over 80% in 2019
  • Developed a professional development course to boost team members’ understanding of beverage preparation core standards
  • Led a 12-person team to more actively promote the chain’s special offers, growing sales by about 30% year over year

Entry-Level Professional Experience Example


Assistant Manager, Maggie’s Coffeehouse, Greensboro, NC | September 2020 to present

  • Oversee 20 baristas and serve as shift leader for up to five team members
  • Manage $10,000 annual budget for equipment procurement

 
Highlight:

  • Started a recycling program that reduced plastic waste by 50%

3. Add barista education and certifications

Add value to your resume by showcasing your knowledge, skills, and commitment to coffee-making. Education and certifications indicate that you’ve received formal training and have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to excel as a barista. Mention any workshops, seminars, or training sessions you’ve attended related to coffee and customer service. Start with your highest level of education and list the degree name, institution, location, and completion date.

Specific certifications, such as those from reputable coffee associations or specialized barista training programs, provide credibility and validate your expertise. These credentials assure employers of your competency in the field. Format a separate section similarly, providing the certificate name, issuing organization, and date received.

Education

Template

  • [Degree Name]
  • [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] [Dates Enrolled]

Example

  • Associate of Arts – Hospitality
  • Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business, Charles Town, WV | 2013

Certifications

Template

  • [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]

Example

  • Specialty Coffee Association Professional Diploma | 2014

When you create your key skills section, include technical and interpersonal skills crucial for creating a positive and efficient cafe environment. Identify the key skills mentioned in the job posting and ensure you incorporate them into your resume. As a barista, you may possess unique abilities or experiences that can set you apart from other candidates. For example, if you have expertise in creating signature drinks or extensive knowledge of coffee origins and flavor profiles, mention them. Here’s a list of examples to consider:

Action Verbs
Cash handling Coffee bean and grounds quality control
Coffee order accuracy Coffee preparation core standards
Customer relations and service Efficiency improvement
Food and beverage hygiene Food safety and sanitation
French press operation and repair Latte art
Milk texturing Performance management
Product promotions Promotional upselling
Sensory cup technology Staff training and development
Task timing and sequencing Team collaboration
Team management and scheduling Upselling and suggestive selling techniques

How To Pick the Best Barista Resume Template

A resume template provides a well-structured framework for presenting your qualifications, so choose one that allows your content to shine. The best resume template for a barista is clean, organized, and easy to navigate. Avoid cluttered layouts or excessive use of decorative elements.

Instead, opt for a template that exudes professionalism and allows you to feature your most relevant professional accomplishments and key skills. While it’s important to embrace your individuality, you need to maintain a balance between creativity and professionalism. Choose a template that reflects your style to some extent but remains appropriate for a professional setting. Your ultimate goal is a visually appealing template that allows hiring managers to quickly scan your resume and easily capture all the essential information.

Barista Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

  • Example #1
  • Example #2
  • Example #3

Mariam Hassan
(876) 567-8765 | [email protected] | 432 Second Avenue, Annapolis, MD 76543

Profile

Barista with 8 years’ experience creating bespoke beverages in leading coffee houses. Confident leader skilled at putting complex preparation protocols in clear terms for team members. Thrive in a dynamic, customer-focused work environment. Committed to ongoing education about new preparation methods and technologies.

Professional Experience

Barista, Ceremony Coffee Roasters, Annapolis, MD | September 2017 to Present

  • Prepare various hot and iced coffees, following detailed specifications
  • Help onboard and train ~15 new hires per year
  • Maintain a spotless food and beverage preparation area
  • Greet customers and recommend drink options based on their stated preferences and dietary needs

Highlight:

  • Achieved a 5-star customer satisfaction rating in 2020 and 2021

Barista, Starbucks, Annapolis, MD | July 2013 to September 2017

  • Prepared complex coffee orders in a fast-paced environment
  • Monitored and documented inventory, placing replenishment orders to ensure availability
  • Answered customer questions by phone and in-person, drawing on detailed product knowledge to advise on potential allergens

Highlights:

  • Reduced customer wait times by ~20% in 3 years
  • Member of 5-person team that surpassed 50% of productivity goals in 2015 and 2016

Education

Associate of Arts – Hospitality, Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business, Charles Town, WV | 2013

Key Skills

  • Customer Relations & Service
  • Food Safety & Sanitation
  • Latte Art
  • Milk Texturing
  • Sensory Cup Technology
  • Staff Training & Mentoring
  • Task Timing & Sequencing

Certification

Specialty Coffee Association Professional Diploma | 2017

Frequently Asked Questions: Barista Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for Barista resumes?-

When crafting the professional experience section of your resume, it can be hard to find the right words to describe your work as a barista. We've compiled a list of common action verbs to illustrate your responsibilities. Action verbs are instrumental in bringing energy and impact to your resume. Consider using some to present the tasks you performed in previous roles, emphasizing your proactive approach and expertise:

Action Verbs
Brew Clean
Collaborate Create
Describe Enhance
Greet Improve
Monitor Multitask
Prepare Prioritize
Process Promote
Recommend Refill
Resolve Sell
Streamline Train
How do you align your resume with a job description?-

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a faster-than-average growth in employment for food and beverage-serving workers. Between 2021 and 2031, the field will grow 9%, adding over 370,000 new jobs. Even though the market will be full of opportunities, applicants still need to stand out among the crowd of workers vying for these new positions. If you have a specific barista job opening you plan to apply for, we highly recommend you tailor your resume to that particular position.

Read and analyze the job description of the position you're applying for. Identify the qualifications and responsibilities mentioned in the job posting. Then, match those skills and experiences to your own and include them on your resume. Pay attention to the keywords and phrases used in the job description and incorporate some of them throughout your resume, especially in the professional experience and skills sections.

What is the best barista resume format?-

For baristas, the most suitable resume format is generally the chronological format. This layout emphasizes your work history and employment progression, which is particularly relevant for showcasing your experience in the service industry. It allows hiring managers to see your growth and tenure in previous barista roles.

However, in some instances, a combination format may also be appropriate. This option combines elements of both chronological and functional resumes, allowing you to highlight your relevant skills and accomplishments while still presenting a clear timeline of your work experience. Combination resumes can be helpful if you have transferable skills or are transitioning from a different field to the barista role. Ultimately, the best format will be the one that serves you and your goals well.

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Expert Advice
Include a cover letter with your resume

A well-crafted cover letter significantly enhances your prospects of securing an interview in your job search. The best way to write a compelling cover letter is to customize it for the specific organization you're applying to. Learn how to write your own barista cover letter with our comprehensive guide. Check out our server and bartender cover letter guides for examples from related occupations.

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Jacob Meade

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, ACRW)

Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.

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